1932 Bentley Eight-Litre Gurney Nutting Close-Coupled Saloon
New Year's Day Gathering, January 2020
Brooklands, Weybridge, Surrey

 

1931 Bentley 8 Litre Sportsman’s Coupe
When this 8 Litre chassis, YM5043, left Bentley Motors in 1931, it was the 68th example of the W.O. supercar built. It was immediately shipped to Carlton Carriage Co. where it was united with a formal Sedanca de Ville body, as was the case with many of the most exclusive and incredibly expensive chassis.

In June 1932, nearly a year after Bentley Motors had gone into receivership, the 8 Litre was sold by Jack Barclay to the Hon. Somerset Maxwell; due to the unusual circumstances surrounding its sale, the car was offered with a one-year, rather than Bentley’s usual five-year, guarantee. Once in the hands of its first owner, the Bentley was registered as “GY 4121” and between its delivery and February 1936, factory records indicate that several components needed for service were sent to the attention of H.M. Bentley & Partners, a London-based firm.

In March 1936, C. Payne-Croft purchased the 8 Litre and kept it for 25 years, after which it was sold to John Rees. For many years, Mr. Rees had set his sights on an 8 Litre with a very special project in mind. Upon receiving the car, he removed the Carlton body and the car was restored over a 40-year period with the goal of reviving one of the most famous Bentleys ever built – the legendary 1930 Olympia Motor Show Sportsman’s Coupe by Gurney Nutting.

Described by Bentley historian, Johnnie Green, as “probably the most beautiful body to grace an 8 Litre chassis,” the Olympia Motor Show car was lost forever when it reputedly fell into the sea while being loaded onto a boat. If ever there were a missing 8 Litre to resurrect, it would surely be this magnificent show car with its low roof, daring proportions and finely wrought details. So spectacular was the original, some claim it took Bentley almost an entire year to complete.

To recreate the stunning looks of the show car, the chassis frame of the 8 Litre was fitted with side rails from a 4 Litre Bentley, chassis VA 4090, and this number stamping can be found on a front dumb iron. The 4 Litre side rails were made from the same drawings as the 8 Litre; however, they were available in 11’2” and 11’8” lengths as opposed to the standard 8-Litre wheelbases of 12’ and 13’. As such, the chassis side rails are interchangeable between the 4 and 8 Litre, needing only basic re-alignment.

The engine is said to be equipped with an ex-Jumbo Goddard special crankshaft with large journals and wide crankpins, strengthened forged connecting rods, hardened valve seats, a Phoenix camshaft, a late-series five-gallon sump, and spark provided by both Magneto and manually over-ridden coil ignition. Additionally, the massive straight-six features a special triple-carburetor manifold, a stainless steel front enclosure plate, cooling manifold and balance damper, crank nose-driven alternator and steel rocker arms with needle bearings.

This incredible power plant drives through a desirable D-type close ratio unit from a 4 1/2 Litre Bentley, a lightweight propshaft with modern Universal joints and a Speed Six/4 Litre rear axle that is lighter than the original 8 Litre unit and equipped with a high-ratio crown wheel and pinion. The front axle is the correct numbered unit with the original non-servo brake pattern, the Perrot shafts and their fittings are correct for the model, and the steering column is the original numbered unit for YM 5043, still with its original fittings intact.

The cross members are from the 8 Litre with the exception of the rear gearbox cross member which was made to fit the D-type Bentley gearbox. However, the front cross member is clearly stamped with the original chassis number, YM 5043. It also bears mentioning that the tubular cross me mbers are all the correct 8 Litre components and the original bulkhead plate proudly displays the original YM 5043 engraving.

For improved drivability, the Autovac capacity was increased, the headlamps have been fitted with quartz/halogen bulbs, a power-steering pump has been installed, the petrol tank was replaced in aluminum with riveted seams, the rear suspension was updated with special AVO adjustable telescopic units, springs were reset and cambered by Brost Forge and a new radiator core was installed with a general overhaul by Vintage Radiators.

The coachwork is a stunning display of British craftsmanship and the quality and attention to detail that went into this car is simply extraordinary. The body is finished in a deep, alluring shade of red and features the sweeping wings, flowing running boards, specially made wheel discs, louvred splash guards and the sporting low roof that made the original such a handsome design. Inside the cabin, one finds precision woodwork, hand-formed panels and hand-stitched leather seats that possess a very inviting quality and the appropriate character of vintage upholstery. In the trunk, the 8 Litre is equipped with fabulous and well-stocked dual-folding tool-trays completing this superb package.

It is said that nearly a million pounds sterling was spent on the construction of this marvelous one-off Bentley and the level of workmanship and passion that went into this project is apparent. For the Bentley enthusiast who has always admired the striking design and character of the Gurney Nutting Olympia Motor Show car, here is an 8 Litre that captures this landmark design and combines it with the best qualities of Bentley motoring. A perfect car for BDC tours, concours and vintage rallies, this spectacular 8 Litre Coupe is a marvelous driver’s car and a lasting testament to one man’s passion and dream – to return one of the most enigmatic British automobiles ever produced to the road.

On May 19, 2008 the Stanley Mann Racing website offers this car for sale with a flourish, "...here it is, after a forty-three year restoration, the best-looking 8 litre Sports Coupe ever."

Stanley Mann adds: "This 8 litre was purchased by a true Bentley enthusiast in 1961. His dream was to recreate the best looking Bentley 8 litre ever, namely the Gurney Nutting Sports Coupe... Though it took some 12 months for the factory to build it, this brave chap set about the reconstruction of his 8 litre to this specification... The original 8 litre was a bit special and was the Olympia Show Car for 1930. As this car no longer survives, and having the time, passion, and ability to reconstruct this magnificent Bentley on his 8 litre chassis, he built his dream."

Stanley Mann finds the work detail on the car quite amazing. He says, "... in fact, I couldn't believe that it was still possible to do this to this fantastic standard. Mods include the fitting of power steering, D-type gearbox, speed six rear axle, making this 8 litre Bentley an absolute joy to drive."

BDC Concours, 2007

These photographs were taken during the 2006 Bentley Drivers Club 70th Anniversary Summer Rally and Concours d'Elegance.

"The Jewel in our Crown! This magnificent 8 litre (Ch YM5043; Eng YM5043) has spent 44 years in one ownership, being rebuilt with a faultless Gurney-Nutling replica coupé body on 11' 2" 4 litre side rails. The workmanship is stunning and this superb car has just won its class at the Hurlingham Club concours. Endless mechanics (new crank and rods etc.) the best rebuild we have ever seen."

BDC Concours, 2006

"Speed in Comfort - The 8-litre Bentley lent itself to sporting as well as dignified closed bodywork. Here is a Gurney Nutting close Coupled saloon in black and beige with beige hide upholstery. The price £2,625 — and there was no purchase tax, in those conservative days!" — From the article 'The 8-litre Bentley' by Nobby Clark